Whitman, Pioneers shine in first scrimmage

AJ Whitman had a big night at QB for the Pioneers in their first scrimmage of the fall.

Once the pads came on, the picture of the Pioneer offense became much clearer. AJ Whitman is ready to lead Warren County.

The junior quarterback looked every bit the part Thursday night, accounting for three touchdowns as the Pioneers outplayed Spring Hill during a preseason scrimmage at Nunley Stadium. Whitman scored twice on the ground and added a touchdown pass to Huck Damon, providing an early glimpse of what coach Eric Belew's offense could look like this fall.

Whitman, who spent much of last season playing defense, showed no lingering effects from offseason hip surgery. In fact, if not for a holding penalty that wiped out an early touchdown run, the junior likely would've guided the Pioneers to scores in each of their scripted 10-play varsity possessions.

The Pioneers found the end zone on the very next drive anyway.

Following blocks off the left side and a punishing lead from H-back Colton Gater, Whitman powered across the goal line for Warren County's first score. Gater flashed throughout the night as well, ripping off a long run on the drive and giving the Pioneers another physical weapon in the backfield.

When the scrimmage shifted to red-zone work, Whitman was just as dangerous with his legs.

He executed a designed keeper to perfection, racing 10 yards to the pylon before fighting through contact near the goal line for another touchdown.

And if there was any doubt about the Pioneers featuring an air attack, Whitman showed his arm can be equally impressive.

Whitman narrowly missed connecting with Marek Sadlon on what would've been roughly a 50-yard touchdown during early work, as a Spring Hill defender broke up a wheel route at the last second. Later, the Pioneers went back to the same concept near the goal line and this time the Raiders had no answer.

Damon slipped behind the secondary, hauled in Whitman's perfectly placed pass and coasted into the end zone.

A few plays later, Whitman again displayed his accuracy, fitting a throw over the linebackers and in front of the safety to his tight end. A last-second hit knocked the ball loose before the catch could be completed, preventing what appeared to be another Pioneer touchdown.

Helping the offense all evening was an offensive line that consistently protected Whitman and created running lanes for Whitman, Gater, Damon and the rest of the backfield.

The only thing slowing the offense was a growing injury list.

Wide receiver Christian Munoz, one of Whitman's favorite targets during 7-on-7 workouts this summer, injured his hand Wednesday in practice and could miss up to a month. Tailback Dylan Aguilar also remained sidelined with a shoulder injury, leaving the Pioneers without two playmakers.

Even without them, the offense never seemed to lose its rhythm. Brant Damon kept the offense rolling in JV action, again showing his feel for the position at a young age.

Defensively, Warren County forced two early turnovers to set the tone.

Carter Lee, who did reaggrevate an ankle injury during the workout, intercepted a pass at the goal line after Spring Hill marched inside the 10 on its opening possession. A few plays later, the Pioneers recovered an errant snap, giving the defense takeaways on two of the Raiders' first 10 offensive plays.

Spring Hill didn't reach the end zone against Warren County's first-team defense until its 28th offensive snap, after the scrimmage format shifted from 60-yard possessions to condensed red-zone situations.

More from coach Eric Belew on Thursday's scrimmage will air next week on the Studio 605 Coaches Show.